The best Academy Award winning songs: #1 "Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)

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Was there any doubt the most famous song in Hollywood history from arguably the most beloved movie of all time would top the list? “Over the Rainbow” routinely tops all Hollywood song lists and there seems to be no disagreement. You all know the movie and song. No explanation required. “Over the Rainbow” was composed by Harold Arlen (music) and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg (lyrics). Arlen’s other well know song is “Stormy Weather” famously sung by Lena Horne. He also composed two other Judy Garland standards “Get Happy” from “Summer Stock” and “The Man That Got Away” from “A Star is Born.” Harburg wrote two of the best known and most poignant depression era songs in “Brother Can You Spare a Dime” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” He enjoyed Broadway success with “Finian’s Rainbow.” The communist Harburg was blacklisted from 1950 to 1962. “Over the Rainbow” has been covered endlessly but there is only one version you really want to hear: Judy Garland’s defining original. No one can touch the heartfelt power of her voice.